Former Barcelona captain Carles Puyol expects Lionel Messi to play well into his 30s.

Puyol feels the same for Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.

"At their age, they have a lot of football left at their best level, continuing up to 35 or 36 years old," Puyol told reporters in Russia.

"And they are also very professional, they take care of themselves. If they want to, they could even reach the next World Cup [in Qatar].

"I've had to defend against Messi many times in training and it's practically impossible."

Puyol also added his voice to the calls for the Video Assistant Referee system, which will enter LaLiga next season.

"With that, everything evolves," he noted. "VAR would help the referees a lot.

"They are only human and everyone can get things wrong. They are the first who don't want to be wrong. Because, with the replays, everyone crushes them.

"With the help of technology everything will be better and more just."